Adventurous Trip.....

27th November, 2010
Rachana( my Project Lead): jESS, should I tell u something? “You are the first person I’ve met who gets fun out of worst situations every time”.
jESS: Is that so?
Rachana: Yes, observed many times :) I never miss in my judgment FYI.

The complement which in-fact is fact that Rachana offered that noon in office was/ is the most likable complement so far in my life – being honest. It’s kinda been fun since long time (about 1.5 years) when something unexpected and unfavorable occurs to me and I still managed to motivationally and dramatically enjoy it.

13th January’2010, 6:00 PM@Patni Computers, GIDC-Gandhinagar.
“Swapnil, Would I set off half an hour early today? “ I requested to my TL for early leaving.
Swapnil: “U may run off 45 minutes early if u want, making sure of your PPS TCs are through.”
“:( :( :(” (how the hell can 6 PPS TCs be executed within 30 mins by any1 in entire PCS?) I din’t speak single word and got back.

I, by now was late when I watched out for watch, evading myself out of corner “Aqua” conference room and avoiding noticing act. Waved final ALVIDA to shruti and my FZ-16 was waiting to head off (Hardly miss to write about FZ…isn’t it?). What I knew was - 100Kmps won’t help but still had to strive for my best to reach ASAP. Reached home, packed bag and I was on the way to Deepen’s place. Came across traffic and reversed my FZ when I missed to hit to car or by car (I was doing Trinity Stunt of Matrix Reloaded infact ;) ). I was much sure what’s gonna go once I reach to Deepen’s place……

“We are already late you A**hole !!” heard from Deepen as expected.
“We’ll catch it Man :) ” he heard from me as expected.
That’s what differs me and Deepen – I am always Extra-confident of getting through and he’s always practical.
Even 10 minutes later, we kept rehearsing same words with same punctuation marks that we’d started with, the only difference was – “In the Auto heading towards PALADI bus stand”.
“I gotta tell you something very important” I tried to turn off focus as it was my fault being late even after promising the bargained time.
“Nothing you’ve got resembling to important talk even” (I know you since 2 years) he caught me as usual.
“Okay, if u already know, why to waste time for Zapping up each other ;) :D”
“You won’t change ever… Will u?”
“If we miss the bus, we’ll go on my FZ-16…no worries man, you are with jESS”
“That’s what worries me always…” said “D”

13th January’2010, 9:00 PM, PALDI Bus stand
Arrived at PALDI bus stop around 8:45 and could see the crowd eagerly and earnestly looking forward for bus to Surendranagar. One guy having decent moustache with slim body and rough wears, was guiding the crowd on the arrival of bus. With no prompt, Deepen reached to him and asked for next bus.
“2 last buses are there, 1st is coming within 15 minutes” Deepen got the reply.
“Cool…God saved me as usual” I thought, standing 20 meters away but could hear that guy as he was loud enough for all audience around. Was I really saved?....

I must say Deepen‘s got enormous network, wherever he goes his network follows.(Don’t compare him with Vodafone doggie ;) :D) He found 2 more friends who were also “Surendranagar ki paidaish” heading towards their hometown. They started with company work and career bullshits. Why these bullshiters always start with Company and work? Can’t they start with “How’s your sex life”? (it always amazes me that whoever meets, starts with “hows your company? What’s they are paying?’’ etc. jaise half salary uske naam karne vala ho….huhhhhh :P).
For time-pass, bought some peanuts and next 15 minutes we enjoyed it. Still no sign for the bus. Alas, I had to listen some more technicality of the product that deepen is working on in IMANY – honestly speaking MY BAD. Fuck off. Who cares? But acting on listening it with heavy interest is also fun ;) :D. I was fumbling (as usual) and other 2 semi technical friends of deepen were listening him. And out of the blue…unexpectedly…..talk halted. Reason was 100 meter away……..

“Thank Go…….” I stopped in between being grateful to god when I could see the bus with no. of passengers in it.
I recalled the Mumbai Locals – what a resemblance!! Surendranagar is profoundly Demanded – I dint know that :D
“I am not IN” I decided and thought of waiting for the next bus. But………….

Deepen said “Get in” as we’d already heard from ‘Single power double battery bus guide’ that it gonna be the last bus to Surendranagar. As it was night and he din’t feel like trusting my driving skills on FZ, he insisted to get in.
“This will be your memorable experience jESS !! What say? ” he taunted me.
“Yeah, I assume so. I’ve started giving thought on writing about it ;) :D”

13th January’2010, 9:30 PM: Get Set and Go
It’s pointless to mention about getting IN to those who’ve previously boarded Mumbai Locals. Wasn’t lesser than that.Capacity of bus was of ~20 People and ~30 people were already IN with their luggage. What to say? Looking at situation, those 2 semi technical guys (as they were listening deepen’s technical talk with precise interest but never responded technically) had also refused to ride on. As we’d made up mind, I literally had to fight to get IN. 3 stairs to get in and it took almost 60 seconds pushing others IN and OUT. But it’s fun pulling off something not easily achievable. Isn’t it?

Rough guy with heavy body, Dark complexion and ragged shirt with 2 buttons open, exhibiting his hairy chest had come out from the Bus and just made clear statement that “Need to go standing ” I never expected sitting position but what I wasn’t offered was decent standing position too . This gonna be terrible journey. Deepen also had got IN and was protecting our luggage– I’m sure he’d to struggle more as he’s three inch wider than me from every side :D ;). Somehow I managed to settle in, resting myself between 3 guys and 2 ladies around and I spotted 4-5 more passengers digging IN. “Ohhhh God….NO more Plssssss” I exclaimed.

I asked for the 1st time to Deepen “how long it takes to reach Surendranagar? :( :( :(”
“3 hours” he said with smile which he managed to have, not expressing pain hidden behind grinned face.
Luck was really tucking us hard if it exists and I thought it was our poor choice but not luck. 3 hours to go and situation was unbearable from the very first step itself. How will go 3 hours in the situation I was IN?

When new passenger who was Muslim guy with his beautiful wife and sweet baby boys came IN, I got in situation where I even did not have space to move my leg from one position to other. If I do so, I was hurting another lady sitting with her cute baby girl who was enjoying songs from Ericsson before bus started (dint observe the model but jingle was of first-rate). I must say that Lady Mom was also beautiful! Why mom is always so beautiful? :) She asked to stop playing her girl with mobile songs and I winked that baby to continue ;) In-fact I was at least enjoying the song which was from NEWYORK movie…..
Bus finally took off.
Just feel yourself between 5-6 people around and you have only space to breathe. I could smell the other people around me. I wont say “Yuck” but will say “It was the way it was”. Not everyone in the world gets perfume or Body-spray to start with the day  I coped up with no alter option. Bus driver who looked to me a big fan of Himesh Reshamiya, started song which somehow was fun listening it. I could hear the creaking sound of the bus from every corner of it giving funny background music to songs that were being played. I was tired out of the day wanting to sleep and still 3 hours were to go :( My one hand was hanging on the bar above to support myself against the push pissing of other passengers around. With other hand I was playing with W910i. None of 3 legs had chance to move ;) :D. It chanced me new try when I finally saw a guy performing 3 in 1: Standing + Hanging + Sleeping. How amazing it was!! “Is it possible?” - I thought. I had to give try before I don’t believe it and so I did. I copied him resting my skull on hanging hand, closed eye and tried to sleep but on ~120th second, I was struck by guy from behind and lost my balance as soon as slipped my hanging hand - Doooooom. I thought I could never do it and once again I watched that guy still enjoying sleep standing in bus. I did not have to lose hope – “I can sleep if he can” I thought. I tried again….and then I was awake when…………………….

13th January’2010, 10:30 PM: IDEA @Rajkamal Restaurant
I finally did it and slept for ~30-40 mins in the bus standing and hanging. I awaked when we reached BAGODARA. 10 minutes break for Tea and snack and then again I would go sleep in standing position. My legs were already jammed so I jumped down from bus to free them for some time; so was with Deepen. When we were having Masala Peanuts with Thumps up, suddenly Non-Technical mind clicked and flashed up with Amazzing IDEA and I asked to Deepen ……………

“Can’t we sit on the roof of the bus?”
Deepen amazed though loved the IDEA and said “Yes, but need to ask that Big Man”. Within 4 seconds I reached to Big Man and asked him if we can sit on the roof of the bus and with my biggest wonder he said “YES”.

Now I got my turn – now it’s my way- Now it’s my fun. From nowhere I got immense zeal to go on. Now, nobody can stop me out of my enjoyment. Thrill was I waiting for and this spark had put on the fire inside. No looking back what could be consequences and no why – what - where? I just had to do it and I will do it.

Got into bus to collect luggage and came out in no time and started climbing on the bus-roof without waiting for Deepen even. He followed me but till he was up on the roof, I already had settled my self. One more guy “Pratik” came up with Deepen and now we were 3-Idiots waiting for bus to start. Candidly - It was fun but not as easy as we thought of………………….

I knew we can’t sleep but had easy feeling than would have been inside the bus. Fresh, natural but chilled Air instead of sweating smell (and there are many other Air too as you guys know ;) :D) of passengers around. Now I can feel myself free. There is nothing greater sensation than of being free. Tiredness was nowhere in my body now and I dint want to sleep then. I wanted to just indulge and enjoy the journey – one in all time experience of journey. Bus started again and icy air was felt. We already were protected by shutting down ourselves with jacket and urban caps. Initially we sat straight in direction of bus facing the Highway to be breached on. But within 10 minutes, we realized true strength of winter and sat inverse; hence we could show our ASS to upcoming highway. We were not able to say HI to next junction points but were able to say Bye to all - the way we were seated. Frosty air was giving heavy blow and I was accepting it with highest joy of getting trembled. We had introductory part with Pratik and came to know he is consultant of jobs. I talked about my business rather than JOB and exchanged cards. Deepen never miss technical talk and initiated on his Java coaching part. We talked about lot of things starting from our business to other business people, 2011 Vibrant, Mahatma Temple and its capacity. We talked about marriage dates of Mit and Jinal(friend of Deepen). I suggested Deepen to buy him Condom as gift – Honeymoon pack and he liked the idea. Looking at open sky above, we talked about Universe, stars, moon etc running with us to Surendranagar. Stars and Moon were getting artistically reflected in rivers and ponds that came across the way to Surendranagar. Then as all tired out of talking for long I started singing songs. Some of them were “Aao Milo chale”, “Alvida….” etc. I and other two were humming them and enjoying my talent of “faltu timepass music”. On every curve of road junctions deepen used to tell me about the different locations on the way to SNAGAR. I too recalled my mom’s village where I’ve spend ample amount of time in childhood with most innocent NATU-MAMA. Had lot of memories sprinkling out of my mind starting from my childhood when “Neele gagan ke tale, Jungle ki aur chale(with hatho me Lota) ;) :D ” I recalled Raja-Rani pond where I used to go for poo stuff :D :D :D. I recalled the well from which I used to help my MAMI to get drinking water without using roller.
I recalled…….I recalled……..I recalled……………
Honestly speaking only missing part was: CHILLED BEAR for me and Thums up for Deepen.
After ~30 minutes at 12:10 AM, we are eating Papdi at Surendranagar bus-stand with coffee and Tea. Reached Deepen’s home with his brother (Rushabh) who came to pick us up. Hey Rushabh, whats up? ;) Hardly do I bow to my mom and I bowed to Auntie (infact not lesser than my mom for 2 days :) ) saying “Jay Jinendra”. Went for wash room and slept at 1:00 after little talk with Family. Now it hardly matter weather its Deepen’s or mine :)

I was not quite well for next day to be honest, but this had been an added life-time thrilling experience. Once again I did it……and hope to do such adventure again and again…….

I couldn’t perform well over “Deepen” on 14th Jan, but I will see him in next Uttrayan :D :D :D